BOWERS, Robert
| Service Number: | 4265 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 July 1916, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Charters Towers, Queensland, 12 February 1901 |
| Home Town: | Charters Towers, Charters Towers, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Richmond Hill State School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Ipswich, Queensland, 24 September 1952, aged 51 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland Cremated |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4265, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4265, 31st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4265, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 9 Aug 1918: | Wounded Private, 4265, 31st Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", GSW (thigh and buttocks) | |
| 1 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4265, 31st Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Robert Bowers's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
Robert Bowers was only 15 years and 4 months old when he enlisted in Brisbane on 04 Jul 1916. He embarked with his older brother 4264 Pte. Albert John Llewellyn Bowers (/explore/people/354125) - their middle brother 4158 Pte. Charles Victor Bowers (/explore/people/225277) had enlisted a month earlier.
All three sons of Frederick Bowers and Sarah Lemand (nee McFadden) Bowers served in the 31st Infantry Battalion (www.awm.gov.au), only Albert failed to return dying of influenza in France on 18 Feb 1919.
"...4265 Private Robert Bowers, 11th Reinforcements, 31st Infantry Battalion. Orphaned by 1916 and working on a farm, Pte Bowers was only 15 years of age but claimed to be 18 years and 5 months when he enlisted. He was one of three brothers who served in the same battalion. He embarked from Brisbane on 17 November 1916 aboard HMAT Kyarra. During 1917 the three brothers were reported as absent without leave from their unit from 4-14 September 1917 for which they were punished with 10 days detention and the forfeiture of 20 days pay each. Pte Robert Bowers was wounded in France during August 1918 and suffered gun shot wounds to both buttocks and his right thigh. He was invalided to England on 24 August 1918 and returned to Australia where he was discharged on 1 April 1919. 4158 Pte Charles Victor Bowers was discharged on 24 April 1918 and returned to Australia (See also P10439.003). 4264 Pte Albert John Llewellyn Bowers died of influenza in France on 18 February 1919 aged 22." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
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